Humidifier bypass valve

A method for controlling a flow of fluid through a valve, the method comprising:

• receiving a flow of fluid from a respiration circuit at a first valve portion disposed at a first end of a conduit, the first valve portion having an inlet configured to interface with the respiration circuit, a first humidifier interface configured to be removably connected to a humidifier chamber, and a first conduit opening in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, the first valve portion being configured to define a switchable flow path between the inlet and either the first humidifier interface or the first conduit opening;
• directing the flow of fluid between the inlet and the first humidifier interface to the humidifier chamber;
• receiving the flow of fluid from the humidifier chamber at a second valve portion disposed at a second end of the conduit, the second valve portion having a second humidifier interface configured to be removably connected to the humidifier chamber, a second conduit opening in fluid communication with the interior of the conduit, and an outlet configured to interface with a respiration circuit, the second valve portion being configured to define a switchable flow path between the outlet and either the second humidifier interface or the second conduit opening;
• covering the first humidifier interface and the second humidifier interface;
• directing the flow of fluid from the inlet of the first valve portion to the outlet of the second valve portion through the conduit.

A valve configured to control a flow of fluid through the valve, the valve comprising:

• a first valve portion comprising:
• means for receiving the flow of fluid from a respiration circuit;
• first means for interfacing with a humidifier chamber to communicate the flow of fluid to the humidifier chamber;
• a second valve portion comprising:
• second means for interfacing with the humidifier chamber to receive the flow of fluid from the humidifier chamber;
• means for directing the flow of fluid to the respiration circuit;
• means for connecting the first valve portion and the second valve portion, the first valve portion being disposed at a first end of the means for connecting for fluid communication therewith and the second valve portion being disposed at a second end of the means for connecting for fluid communication therewith, wherein the first valve portion defines a switchable flow path between the means for receiving and either the first means for interfacing or the means for connecting, and wherein the second valve portion defines a switchable flow path between the means for directing and either the second means for interfacing or the means for connecting;
• means for switching a flow path between 1) a first flow path formed from the means for receiving to the means for directing through the humidifier chamber and 2) a second flow path formed from the means for receiving to the means for directing through the means for connecting.